St Helens v Castleford Tigers - New Dorn for Tigers in Gareth O’Brien

Dorn, an Australian full-back, had two spells at Castleford and was a huge influence as they rebuilt under Powell from 2014-2016.

O’Brien is in contention to make his debut at full-back against St Helens tomorrow after joining Tigers on loan from Toronto Wolfpack.

The 28-year-old – who had spells on loan at both Castleford and Saints in 2013 – is set to fill the gap left by Jordan Rankin’s return to Australia during lockdown.

Powell has included O’Brien in his initial 21-man squad and reckons he can make a significant impact.

“The full-back who was outstanding for us a few years ago, Luke Dorn, had similar capabilities to Gareth,” said Powell.

“He played at half-back earlier in his career, really understood the game and was a good communicator and an instinctive reader of the game.

“I think Gareth O’Brien is exactly that – he can see things very quickly, his communication is great, he has got pace and his decision-making is excellent.

“All those things make for a good full-back; he reminds me a bit of Luke Dorn and what Dorny did for us was exceptional.”

O’Brien, who began his career at Warrington Wolves, will be suited to Tigers’ style of play, Powell reckons.

“He played at Salford and I think in quite a few ways they are similar to us in the way they play,” added Powell.

“He is used to structure and getting on the end of things. I have watched him train and he looks fit, he gets round the field and understands the game.

“He can read where space is and where the ball needs to go, he is an experienced player and he has found it pretty easy.

“We have given him a fair bit of video work to do since he signed for us and he has looked comfortable, so hopefully if he does play he will handle it pretty well.”

Tigers had been preparing to face Hull tomorrow before that game was postponed because of an outbreak of coronavirus in the black and whites’ camp. Instead, Castleford, on the back of a 40-14 defeat by Catalans Dragons, will take on Saints – on their own ground – a week after the reigning champions won 48-0 at Leeds Rhinos.

Powell said: “They are an outstanding team, full of quality players.

“They are a very difficult team to play against and they have come back [from the Covid-19 break] great.

“Leeds would say they weren’t at their best last week, but St Helens played really sharp, fast, direct rugby league.

“We feel we can do that, we will learn from last week and we will be a better team because of what happened to us.”

O’Brien could be one of two debutants tomorrow, with former Cronulla Sharks winger Sosaia Feki named in Tigers’ squad for the first time, following a pre-season injury.

Liam Watts (arm injury) and Nathan Massey - who missed last week’s game to attend the birth of his son - are set to return and Junior Moors and Calum Turner are also hoping for a call-up. Greg Eden and the suspended Peter Mata’utia drop out.

“We are looking a bit stronger, I think we are in a good place,” said Powell.

Mark Percival has recovered from a hamstring problem and will replace Matty Costello for Saints. Jack Ashworth, Jack Welsby, Lewis Dodd and Joe Batchelor are also in contention for a call-up.

St Helens: from Coote, Makinson, Naiqama, Percival, Grace, Lomax, Fages, Walmsley, Roby, Taia, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Knowles, Lees, Amor, Ashworth, Smith, Bentley, Welsby, Batchelor, Dodd, Graham.

Castleford Tigers: from Olpherts, Shenton, Feki, Trueman, Richardson, Watts, McShane, Millington, Holmes, McMeeken, Milner, Massey, Sene-Lefao, Griffin, Foster, Moors, Clare, O’Neill, Hepi, Turner, O’Brien.

Referee: James Child (Dewsbury).

Kick-off: Tomorrow, 4.15pm.